US3851435A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fastening means for joining members
Assignee: BINKLEY COMPANY (FORMERLY BINKLEY ACQUISITION COMPANY) A CORP OF
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Filing: 1973-01-08
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Granted: 1974-12-03
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Expires: 1993-01-08
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a fastener for joining members together, the fastener comprising a tongue means formed in a first member to be joined and a groove means formed in a second member to be joined, said groove means having a spanning member which extends at least part way over the side of the tongue means with the tongue means inserted into the groove means. Also provided are means for locking the tongue means in the groove means once it is inserted, and means for urging the tongue means into locking engagement within the groove means.
Inventors
- 👤 H Roberts
- 👤 A Gickler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 08:00
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16B; F16B5/00; F16B5/06; F16B5/0607; F16B5/0621; F16B5/0664; F16B2/00; F16B2/20; F16B7/00; F16B7/04; F16B7/044; F16B7/048; F16B7/0486; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/33; Y10T403/335; Y10T403/46; Y10T403/60; Y10T403/606
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A fastener for joining members together, said fastener comprising a tongue means formed in a first member to be joined, said tongue means having a first protrusion extending from one of its sides, a groove means formed in a second member to be joined, said groove means having a spanning member which extends at least part way over the side of the tongue means from which the protrusion extends with the tongue means inserted into the groove means, and a second protrusion operatively positioned relative to saiD tongue and groove means so as to urge the tongue means against the spanning means with the tongue means fully inserted into said groove means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A fastener for joining members together, said fastener comprising a tongue means formed in a first member to be joined, said tongue means having a first protrusion extending from one of its sides, a groove means formed in a second member to be joined, said groove means having a spanning member which extends at least part way over the side of the tongue means from which the protrusion extends with the tongue means inserted into the groove means, and a second protrusion operatively positioned relative to saiD tongue and groove means so as to urge the tongue means against the spanning means with the tongue means fully inserted into said groove means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The fastener of claim 1 wherein the second protrusion is formed in said second member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The fastener of claim 1 wherein the members to be joined are formed of sheet material and said tongue and groove means are formed integrally therewith.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
87 words
The fastener of claim 1 wherein the groove means further comprises a front opening formed at the front edge of the spanning member and a rear opening formed at the rear edge of the spanning member, said tongue means extending through both of said openings, said front opening being larger in the vertical dimension than said rear opening for ease in starting the tongue means through the groove means and to provide a tight fit between the tongue means and the groove means at the rear opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The fastener of claim 1 comprising a tongue-receiving means above the rear of the groove means to receive the end of the tongue means as it passes therethrough and direct it against the spanning member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The fastener of claim 1 wherein the tongue means narrows toward its end, and the groove means narrows from front to rear for ease in joining the members and for a tight fit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
The fastener of claim 1 wherein the leading surface of the tongue protrusion slopes from its base to its end away from the end of the tongue means for ease in passing the tongue means over the spanning member as the members are joined together, and wherein the trailing surface of the tongue protrusion is formed to intercept the rear edge of the spanning member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
180 words
A fastener for joining members together, said fastener comprising a tongue means formed in a first member to be joined, said tongue means having a protrusion extending from one of its sides, a groove means formed in a second member to be joined, said groove means having a spanning member which extends at least part way over the side of the tongue means from which the protrusion extends with the tongue means inserted into the groove means, the groove means further having a front opening formed at the front edge of the spanning member and a rear opening formed at the rear edge of the spanning member, said tongue means extending through both of said openings, said front opening being larger in the vertical dimension than said rear opening for ease in starting the tongue means through the groove means and to provide a tight fit between the tongue means and the groove means at the rear opening, and means urging said protrusion into locking engagement with said spanning member with said tongue means fully inserted into said groove means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
180 words
A fastener for joining members together, said fastener comprising a tongue means formed in a first member to be joined, said tongue means having a protrusion extending from one of its sides, a groove means formed in a second member to be joined, said groove means having a spanning member which extends at least part way over the side of the tongue means from which the protrusion extends with the tongue means inserted into the groove means, the groove means further having a front opening formed at the front edge of the spanning member and a rear opening formed at the rear edge of the spanning member, said tongue means extending through both of said openings, said front opening being larger in the vertical dimension than said rear opening for ease in starting the tongue means through the groove means and to provide a tight fit between the tongue means and the groove means at the rear opening, and means urging said protrusion into locking engagement with said spanning member with said tongue means fully inserted into said groove means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
107 words
A fastener for joining members together, said fastener comprising a tongue means formed in a first member to be joined, said tongue means having a protrusion extending from one of its sides, a groove means formed in a second member to be joined, said groove means having a spanning member which extends at least part way over the side of the tongue means from which the protrusion extends with the tongue means inserted into the groove means, and a tongue-receiving means above the rear of the groove means to receive the end of the tongue means as it passes therethrough and direct it toward the spanning member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
107 words
A fastener for joining members together, said fastener comprising a tongue means formed in a first member to be joined, said tongue means having a protrusion extending from one of its sides, a groove means formed in a second member to be joined, said groove means having a spanning member which extends at least part way over the side of the tongue means from which the protrusion extends with the tongue means inserted into the groove means, and a tongue-receiving means above the rear of the groove means to receive the end of the tongue means as it passes therethrough and direct it toward the spanning member.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-02 | 1978-06-03 | 1978-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-02 | 1982-06-03 | 1982-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-02 | 1986-06-03 | 1986-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |